Early on this first day of Nisan 2025 (Aviv/spring on the Jewish calendar), I felt the burdens and heaviness of God’s people who have been walking through unexpected darkness and trials. The enemy has sent unrelenting pressure lately to weary many, causing some to doubt God’s goodness. If this is you, what once felt easy may suddenly seem tedious or overwhelming. You have little motivation; your soul feels dry and brittle. The battles with self and sin have drained you of energy, and the joy of prayer seems to have been snuffed out. To illustrate this, the Lord took me into a vision of the tabernacle as I prayed. The Old Testament tabernacle is a vivid picture of the believer’s heart, each element representing not just a function or progression of worship, but also aspects of who believers are. To enter the Holy Place - the place of prayer - priests had to first present burnt offerings for sin in the outer court. Sacrificial blood was then sprinkled on the elements within the tabernacle, including the altar of incense (prayer) and the ark of the covenant (the mercy seat). In this vision, the Lord focused my eyes not on the altars, but on the golden lampstand. As I looked, I heard the cry of believers who felt that in some way, their “light” had gone out. They knew they were supposed to be light, but instead they looked like dark, empty vessels - lifeless lampstands! Then I saw the Lord, as the faithful High Priest, come and fill the lampstand Himself. “...Your name is oil poured out; therefore virgins love You.” Song of Solomon 1:3 ESV The Lord reminded me that through the power of the Spirit, He poured Himself out to eradicate all darkness in our souls. Not only that, but He also fulfilled perfectly all the duties of the High Priest, rending the veil of His flesh so that we could have unbroken access to God’s mercy seat. I saw the lampstand come alive in this vision as the Lord poured out fresh oil. Then in my mind's eye, I was transported to the day of Pentecost, when the Spirit ignited flames of fire upon believers as a result of Christ’s sacrifice. I believe the Lord is breathing life, strength, and encouragement into holy but weary vessels. I hear Him saying: “You are LIVING FLAMES, dear ones - filled with a supernatural light that I Myself sustain! It is good to remember that you can do nothing apart from Me. COME TO ME now, so that I can replenish your oil and keep that light within you burning brightly! “Do not allow doubt and fear to hold your soul in places of darkness. Let Me fill you with the SUBSTANCE OF FAITH, which comes as you interact with ME - the LIVING WORD. I am tending to that darkness in your soul, filling you with SPIRITUAL LIGHT that cannot be quenched by human hands!” Beloved, when we feel like lifeless vessels the Lord Himself IS our life! When darkness fills our souls, HE IS our light and salvation! Jesus is still about His Father’s business, mercifully perfecting faith within us. As we begin a new cycle and season of faith today, I believe the Lord wants to meet you once again with newness of life and fresh words of healing for every situation. He wants you to be a living lampstand. If you are weary, ENTER IN to the place of abiding with the Lord and find your rest in Him, not looking to anything or anyone else. Draw near through the precious blood of your faithful High Priest so that He can comfort you - and you can overcome. Let our wonderful Lord rekindle LIGHT in your lamp today. You were never meant to walk in darkness! PRAISE GOD that darkness cannot put out the light in you, His holy dwelling place. Christ is sustaining the tabernacle of your heart. Deborah |
Free Link to the Subscriber Resource Library when you join His Inscriptions!
About
Deborah Perkins Categories
All
Archives
February 2025
AuthorA severe hearing loss from childhood caused Deborah Perkins to develop what she now calls her secret weapon: tuning in to God's voice. A Wellesley College graduate and an award-winning writer, Deborah is now a wife and mother of 3 boys. Deborah has devoted over 25 years to professional and lay Christian ministry in New England and beyond. Her passion is inspiring people to cultivate greater intimacy with God. |